Mayor Andrea Davis told the State of Missoula audience that the city is pursuing a coordinated set of infrastructure, housing and economic development projects to keep Missoula affordable and to support new industries.

“We are working toward a vision of a city that is thriving, it’s accessible, and it is inclusive for all,” Mayor Andrea Davis said, citing adoption of the city’s 2045 land use plan Our Missoula and a range of recent grant awards.

Davis said the city has received more than $40,000,000 in state and federal grant awards for city projects and that locally the region has secured roughly $130,000,000 in collective funding for infrastructure. She highlighted utility and street work — 340 miles of water mains and a wastewater utility that the mayor said generates over 750,000 kilowatts per year of carbon‑free power — and said a customer service portal and a new city website will be launched to improve resident interactions.

On economic development, Davis said the Roseburg Forest Products plant site is evolving into a film and television production campus led by Storyhouse Incorporated, which the mayor said could create more than 400 skilled jobs and include workforce training in partnership with the University of Montana, Montana State University, Missoula College and area high schools. She said city and state partners are working with developers on housing solutions tied to job growth.

The mayor also described a mayor’s task force on city‑owned lands to seek redevelopment of about 45 acres for housing and commercial use, and identified infrastructure projects to be funded locally and by grants, including Toole Avenue roundabout construction, South Avenue Safe Streets for All improvements and a signal at Orange and Craig. She said the city is prioritizing collector streets, greenways and grant‑funded projects to maximize public benefit.

Separately, Melanie Brock of the Missoula Midtown Association summarized Midtown priorities and projects: the Fairgrounds redevelopment and a planned Blue Line Development housing project with more than 100 units (20% set as affordable), design work for Brooks Street, and early design concepts for the North MRL Triangle, where the Johnson Street shelter is planned for removal and redevelopment. Brock urged public input at an upcoming design open house.

City and Midtown leaders emphasized a public‑private approach and urged continued coordination among the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, Missoula Economic Partnership, Midtown Association and the Chamber.

No binding approvals were taken at the forum; speakers described projects that are advancing through planning, partnership negotiations and grant procurement.